MAM
Ogilvy PR Asia Pacific appoints three senior leaders
MUMBAI: Ogilvy Public Relations (Ogilvy PR) has announced three appointments to its Asia Pacific management team, following the announcement that Scott Kronick has been appointed as president and CEO of Ogilvy PR, Asia Pacific w.e.f January 2014.
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Debby Cheung, currently group managing director of Ogilvy PR, China and president of Ogilvy & Mather (O&M) Group, Shanghai, has been named president of Ogilvy PR, China/Hong Kong. Current regional director of Ogilvy PR, Southeast Asia, Andrew Thomas, has been promoted to president of Ogilvy PR, Southeast Asia with additional responsibility for Ogilvy PR’s leadership in India. Similarly, current CEO of Ogilvy PR, Australia, Kieran Moore, will take on a broader role as regional director of talent to lead the firm’s regional talent initiatives, including creating processes to attract, engage, reward and retain the talent that will define the future of the public relations industry.
Ogilvy PR, Asia Pacific president and CEO Scott Kronick said, “I’ve had the honor of working closely with these three colleagues under Steve Dahllof, the current President and CEO of Ogilvy PR, Asia Pacific. The four of us will join together to form a stronger and even more focused regional management operation for Ogilvy PR with the goal of ensuring clients receive first-hand senior management attention and counsel.”
With more than 30 years in the Asia Pacific region, Ogilvy PR is the largest and most awarded network regionally.
“A region that covers 28 markets with more than 1,200 staff needs the breadth and depth of a strong leadership team, and that is what we have planned for Ogilvy PR in Asia,” said Ogilvy & Mather, Asia Pacific chairman Paul Heath. “This structure is aligned with how we are organizing ourselves throughout the region to focus our senior leadership attention on our people and clients in each of these markets. Debby, Andrew and Kieran are first-class and they round out a very strong PR team for us in Asia.”
On her new role, Cheung commented, “I’m a firm believer in creative thinking and original content, and this is particularly challenging in public relations because it requires constant reaction to global information flow. My focus moving forward will be to ensure our clients are getting the very best our industry has to offer in both China and Hong Kong, as a model for us in Asia and throughout the world.”
Thomas joined Ogilvy PR in Singapore in 2005 and has been responsible for growing the firm into a market leader. “Southeast Asia is exploding and this is providing growth opportunities throughout the region. My role will be to connect the dots in different ways for our people and our clients,” said Thomas. “India is an exciting market and it’s a great honor to be given the responsibility for growing our presence there.”
With more than 27 years’ experience in public relations covering strategy development and implementation, reputation and crisis management, and corporate positioning in Australia and the U.K., Moore will continue her current role, and will also serve as the firm’s Regional Director of Talent, responsible for creating and driving talent strategy for the agency, including talent attraction, people engagement and retention.
“Talent strategy is an area that I am passionate about. People are the cornerstone of our business and I am thrilled to be asked to support our talent growth and reputation in Asia,” she said.
The appointments will take effect 1 January 2014.
Brands
Malaika Arora launches Maejoy accessories brand with Myntra partnership
New label debuts with 250 plus handbags and lab grown diamond jewellery.
MUMBAI: When style meets sparkle, a new brand is ready to take centre stage. Actor and entrepreneur Malaika Arora has launched a lifestyle accessories label called Maejoy, developed in collaboration with Exceed Entertainment and Myntra Jabong India Private Limited (MJIPL), the B2B wholesale arm of Myntra. The brand enters the market with a debut collection of more than 250 styles spanning handbags and lab grown diamond jewellery, two categories that continue to define everyday personal style for modern consumers.
The handbag lineup includes crossbody bags, structured shoulder bags, bucket bags, totes, backpacks, clutches and workwear inspired designs. The pieces are crafted using materials such as synthetic leather, raffia, braids, satin, rhinestones and metallic finishes.
Alongside the bags, Maejoy has introduced a jewellery range featuring lab grown diamond rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and tennis bracelets. The pieces are set in 925 sterling silver bases with gold, silver and rose gold tones, and include diamonds certified by IGI and GCI.
Positioned as a premium yet accessible accessories label, Maejoy is built around the philosophy “The Joy of Being Me”, aiming to blend aspirational fashion with everyday usability. The brand’s positioning centres on three pillars: authenticity, empowerment and accessibility.
Arora described the venture as a natural extension of her long association with fashion and personal style.
“Maejoy is a labour of love. Throughout my career, whether on screen, in business or through personal style, I have always believed fashion should feel empowering yet effortless. The Joy of Being Me celebrates individuality while making global fashion trends more accessible,” she said.
MJIPL, CXO and head of house of brands Suman Saha said the brand brings together Arora’s style perspective with a strong opportunity in the accessible premium accessories segment.
“Maejoy combines Malaika Arora’s distinctive style sensibility with fashion forward designs that we believe will resonate strongly with consumers looking for elevated yet wearable accessories,” he said.
Exceed Entertainment CEO Afsar Zaidi added that building celebrity led brands requires balancing authenticity with market viability.
“Malaika commands respect both as a fashion icon and a businesswoman. Bringing her creative vision together with Myntra’s brand building expertise creates a strong foundation for Maejoy,” he said.
The collection is available exclusively on Myntra through its website and mobile app, making the brand accessible to millions of shoppers across India as it steps into the competitive lifestyle accessories space.
